Detachable hand-grip for shopping bags

ABSTRACT

An elongated block is provided and includes a longitudinal channel therein opening outwardly of one longitudinal side of the block as well as its opposite ends. The channel may receive rope or equivalent shopping bag handles therein and a closure panel extending longitudinally of the block is provided and swingably supported from the block for lateral shifting into and out of position closing the open side of the channel, releasable latch structure being provided for retaining the closure plate in position closing the open side of the channel.

United States Patent 1191 Richards, deceased etal.

[ Oct. 21, 1975 DETACHABLE HAND-GRIP FOR SHOPPING BAGS [76] Inventors: George Richards, deceased, late of Lansing, Mich. by Vivian L. Hadley, 618 N. Foster St., Lansing, Mich. 48912; by Arlene I. Petrovich, 501 l-larriet St., Lansing, Mich. 48915, sole heirs 22 Filed: Mar. 27, 1972 21 Appl. No: 238,471

2,519,186 8/1950 Herbert et al 16/114 B 2,684,797 7/1954 Schulte 16/114 B X 2,717,411 9/1955 Taipale 16/114 B 2,821,739 2/1958 MOhs 16/114 B 2,846,714 8/1958 Charlick 16/114 B 3,187,859 6/1965 Maziarka 16/114 B X Primary ExaminerAlfred R. Guest Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Clarence A. OBrien; Harvey B. Jacobson [57] ABSTRACT An elongated block is provided and includes a longitudinal channel therein opening outwardly of one longitudinal side of the block as well as its opposite ends. The channel may receive rope: or equivalent shopping bag handles therein and a closure panel extending longitudinally of the block is provided and swingably supported from the block for lateral shifting into and out of position closing the open side of the channel, releasable latch structure being provided for retaining the closure plate in position closing the open side of the channel.

2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures U.S.Pate nt' Oct. 21, 1975' 3,913,172

4- I8 7 Fig. 4

DETACHABLE HAND-GRIP FOR SHOPPING BAGS The present invention relates to a readily applicable and removable hand-grip which is expressly, but not necessarily designed and adapted to be used on and in connection with two looped cords which are currently used on paper and equivalent shopping bags as carrying handles.

As the introductory statement of the invention implies, carrying a heavily loaded shopping bag through the instrumentality of the usual cord or rope handles is often quite a job, particularly when the load has to be carried an appreciable distance. Not only is the bag carrying assignment a rear chore, but it is objectionable inasmuch as the usual type cord handles cut and often bruise the carriers hands. In these circumstances, all sorts of makeshift pads and grips have been recommended for use. Many of these, when especially constructed as hand-grips have, of course, been patented.

The instant invention has to do with, as is obvious, a simple, practical wooden or equivalent hand-grip which may be readily carried in ones pocket or elsewhere, may be quickly attached and detached, is simple and economical, and otherwise thought to be an improvement in this special line of endeavor.

Another, somewhat general object of the invention is to structurally and functionally improve on prior art hand-grips and, in so doing, to thus bring into vogue a hand-grip in which manufacturers, retailers and users will find their essential requirements fully met, contained and effectually available.

Briefly summarized, a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a relatively small wooden or equivalent block which has a channel in one edge with the channel opening through opposite transverse ends and providing a cord handle receiving and accommodating groove. A plate covers the mouth portion of the groove and said plate is hingedly mounted on end portions of the block and simple catch means is provided whereby the plate lids over the groove and effectively closes the latter, thus reliably maintaining the hand-grip on said cord handles.

Other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a readily attachable and detachable hand-grip constructed in accordance with the invention and showing the manner in which same is normally used.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the hand grip per se with the cover or lid in open position.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section on the plane of the line 3-3 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, and also showing, in dotted lines, the cover means in open position.

FIG. 4 is a central longitudinal sectional view taken approximately on the plane of the line 4-4 of FIG. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings by reference numerals and accompanying lead lines, and with particular reference to FIG. 1, the letter A denotes a conventional paper or equivalent marketing or shopping bag. As is usual, this is provided with suitably constructed and attached carrying handles. These are the customary cords or ropes having looped portions B and C which are gripped in a well-known manner for purposes of carrying the bag from place to place.,To avoid cutting r and to provide a satisfactory and comforting grip, the

novel .hand-grip herein revealed is offered. The grip comprises an elongated wooden or equivalent block 6 whichmay'be said to be of general rectangular form. One longitudinal edge portion of this is rabbeted or otherwise formed to provide a channel 8, which channel opens through opposite transverse ends and provides the aforementioned groove for receptive retention of the bight portions of the handle loops B and C. One wall is centrally formed with a niche 10 to accommodate the fingernail of the user. The other wall is centrally provided with a short detent or keeper pin 12, the niche being in the wall 14 and the pin in the remaining parallel wall 16.

Various devices and ways and means in prior art devices have been proposed for covering or otherwise temporarily closing groove means in a block to hold the rope handles in said groove means. In the instant invention, a novel cover is employed and this lids over the main open or mouth portion of the groove means 8. The cover takes the form of a flat rectangular plate 18 which is of an areal extent to satisfactorily lid over the complete grooved longitudinal edge portion of the block. One longitudinal edge of the plate is provided with an indentation 20 providing a finger bend which coacts with the aforementioned niche 10 and assists in enabling the user to lift the lid and to swing it from a closed to an open position. The opposite intermediate longitudinal edge portion of the plate has a simple circular keeper hole 22 therein and this resiliently snaps over and engages the protruding end portion of a keeper pin 24 which is nailed into the edge portion of the wall 16 in the manner shown. Opposite transverse end portions of the lidding or covering plate are provided with lateral arms 26 and these are hinged and thus anchored in place, as at 28. They are preferably hinged to the ends of the wall 16. By properly matching and proportioning the elements the lengths of the arms 26 from the points of hinging attachment at 28 may be made so that when the plate, which is slightly resilient, hoods over the mouth of the groove or channel, the yielding action causes the keeper hole 22 to snap over and seat itself on the keeper pin 12.

The provision of a block with groove or channel means therein, the niche l0 and keeper pin 12 plus the lifting bend 20 and keeper hole 22 provide a unique cover for lidding over and closing the channel. A flat plate with arms 26 which are correctly made so as to provide the desired hinging and tensioning results insures that a snug and neat fitting lid or cover is thus had.

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it is believed that a clear understanding of the device will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and arrange ment of parts may be resorted to in actual practice without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a readily attachable and detachable hand-grip for use in association with rope and equivalent handles on shopping bags and the like comprising an elongate block having a channel opening through one longitudinal edge and also through opposite transverse ends and defining groove means for reception of the bight portion of a rope or an equivalent carrying handle, and a readily openable and closable cover for the main entrance portion of said channel, said cover being in the form of a flat plate, one wall of the channel having an accessible finger niche and an adjacent edge portion of the cover plate having a finger accommodating bend in alignment with said niche, an opposite edge portion of said plate having a keeper hole and the other wall of said channel being provided with a projecting pin constituting a keeper, the latter being releasably associable with said keeper hole.

2. A readily applicable and removable hand-grip for use in association with rope handles on a shopping bag comprising an elongate block having a groove channeled therein with said groove opening through opposite transverse ends of said block and one longitudinal edge of said block, a flat cover plate in contact with said one longitudinal edge of the block and completely covering the adjacent portion of the groove, said cover plate being provided at opposite ends with lateral arms, and said arms being hingedly attached to corresponding ends of said block, one wall of said block being provided with a finger niche, a corresponding edge portion of the plate having a fingernail bend, the opposite edge portionof the plate being provided with a keeper hole and the adjacent wall of the block being provided with a keeper pin fitting into said hole. 

1. As a new article of manufacture, a readily attachable and detachable hand-grip for use in association with rope and equivalent handles on shopping bags and the like comprising an elongate block having a channel opening through one longitudinal edge and also through opposite transverse ends and defining groove means for reception of the bight portion of a rope or an equivalent carrying handle, and a readily openable and closable cover for the main entrance portion of said channel, said cover being in the form of a flat plate, one wall of the channel having an accessible finger niche and an adjacent edge portion of the cover plate having a finger accommodating bend in alignment with said niche, an opposite edge portion of said plate having a keeper hole and the other wall of said channel being provided with a projecting pin constituting a keeper, the latter being releasably associable with said keeper hole.
 2. A readily applicable and removable hand-grip for use in association with rope handles on a shopping bag comprising an elongate block having a groove channeled therein with said groove opening through opposite transverse ends of said block and one longitudinal edge of said block, a flat cover plate in contact with said one longitudinal edge of the block and completely covering the adjacent portion of the groove, said cover plate being provided at opposite ends with lateral arms, and said arms being hingedly attached to corresponding ends of said block, one wall of said block being provided with a finger niche, a corresponding edge portion of the plate having a fingernail bend, the opposite edge portion of the plate being provided with a keeper hole and the adjacent wall of the block being provided with a keeper pin fitting into said hole. 